The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. have announced the voluntary recall of about 48,000 Hoist Exercise Benches manufactured in China. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately. Hoist Fitness Systems Inc., also does business as Body Gear, of San Diego, California.

The benchÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s front frame assembly (with the foot rest) can fail to lock into place allowing users who grab the bench to position themselves to get their fingers entrapped between the front and back frame assemblies. This poses laceration and amputation hazards.

Name of Product

Model Number

Hoist Ã¢â‚¬Å“5 Position Fold-Up BenchÃ¢â‚¬Â

HF-140
HF-142

BodyGear by Hoist Ã¢â‚¬Å“5 Position Fold-Up BenchÃ¢â‚¬Â

BG-141
BG-143

Hoist Ã¢â‚¬Å“Folding Flat BenchÃ¢â‚¬Â

HF-4163

Hoist Ã¢â‚¬Å“Folding Ab-Crunch BenchÃ¢â‚¬Â

HF-4262

According to the CPSC, Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hoist has received two reports of injury, one consisting of a hand laceration and the other consisting of a partially amputated finger.Ã¢â‚¬Â

The recalled exercise benches are free-standing and typically used for free weight workouts. They have white, gray, or black steel bases, with a black vinyl bench seat and backrest.

The Hoist Ã¢â‚¬Å“5 Position Fold-Up Bench,Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬Å“Folding Flat Bench,Ã¢â‚¬Â and Ã¢â‚¬Å“Folding Ab-Crunch BenchÃ¢â‚¬Â are included in this recall.

Although the bench names and model numbers do not appear on the benches, the serial number is located on a white sticker behind the seat of the bench. Only benches with certain serial numbers are included in this recall.

The recalled benches were sold at specialty dealer stores and large sporting goods retailers nationwide from February 2004 through January 2006 for between $100 and $300.

Consumers should contact Hoist Fitness to see if their benchÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s serial number is included in this recall. If it is, stop using the recalled exercise bench and arrange to receive a free repair kit. Consumers who own the Hoist Ã¢â‚¬Å“Folding Flat BenchÃ¢â‚¬Â should contact Hoist to return the bench for a full refund.